Benefits of Breastfeeding for Baby

Breastfeeding is a completely natural process, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. It can be challenging for first-time parents, as you need to find the right technique and latch so that the experience is not stressful or even painful. Of course, once you find your rhythm, breastfeeding can be one of the most emotionally powerful experiences you’ll ever know, as you’re literally providing sustenance to your precious little one.

Studies clearly show that breastfeeding can be life-saving for both babies and mothers, potentially saving the lives of 800,000 infants and 20,000 mothers each year. The WHO and IAP also highlight the benefits of breastfeeding for baby and mother alike, recommending exclusive breastfeeding for a minimum of six months, and continued breastfeeding for two years or more.

What makes breast milk ideal for babies

Human breast milk is regarded as critical for the survival of a newborn infant, and it’s an irreplaceable source of nutrition for the first six months of life. Although modern infant formulas do come close, they are still not a perfect substitute, and are only recommended when breastfeeding is not an option. What makes breast milk unique is that it is specially adapted to support growth and health in the early stages, with just the right amount of nutrients, including fat, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, breast milk is easily digestible and provides babies with bioactive substances that provide immune protection as their immunity continues to develop. These bioactive components cannot be replicated in a formula to date.

Health benefits of breastfeeding for the baby

There are innumerable benefits that your baby can derive from breast milk, with some of the most notable health benefits of breastfeeding for a baby including:

• Immune support during the first few months, when a newborn’s immature immune system cannot protect against infections.
• Healthier digestion and better nutrient absorption, with reduced risk of diarrhoea and vomiting.
• Breastfeeding is also associated with lower rates of chest infections in babies.
• Breastfed babies have a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• The practice of breastfeeding also stimulates healthy oral development, involving structures of the airways and palate, which benefits speech development.

Nutritional benefits of breastfeeding for the baby

Breast milk is the perfect food for human babies, making it the only required source of nutrition for the first six months. However, continued breastfeeding for the first two years provides added benefits, while foods are introduced to supplement nutrition. From a nutritional perspective, the benefits of breastfeeding for baby wellbeing include:

• Breast milk composition with a higher whey content and specific enzymes makes it easier for a baby’s immature digestive system to break down fat and absorb nutrients.
• All of the nutrients present in breast milk play an important role in the development of various organs and functions, such as bone growth, immunity, organ development, and metabolism.
• It contains antibodies that pass on maternal immunity and protect babies from infections.
• It provides the optimal balance of fats and other essential nutrients like DHA and choline that are needed for healthy brain development and cognitive performance.
• While providing babies with the required levels of minerals such as iron and sodium, breast milk's mineral content is low enough to be easy on a newborn's immature kidneys.

Breastfeeding and your baby’s immune system

Babies are born with immature immune systems, making them largely dependent on their mothers’ immunity for protection against infections. This inherited or passive immunity is obtained via breast milk, which contains immunoglobulin antibodies produced in the mother’s immune system. This maternal immunity is what protects babies against common infections, reducing the risk of diarrhoea and respiratory infections.

Benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby

While the most obvious benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby are emotional bonding, there are also numerous physical health benefits, as demonstrated by research over several decades.

• Maternal health benefits
  Breastfeeding produces biological and hormonal changes in a mother, which are thought to play a role in protecting against the long-term risk of various chronic diseases, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type-2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and postpartum depression. It also appears that these benefits are accrued with longer durations of breastfeeding.

• Infant health benefits
  Babies who are breastfed have a lower risk of developing common early childhood problems, including asthma and allergies. Emerging research also confirms that babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first six months have a 20% lower risk of cancers like leukaemia, with benefits increasing with continued breastfeeding after six months.

Breastfeeding and your baby’s brain development

While it has long been known that breast milk nutrients are essential for brain development, studies have also shown that babies who are breastfed have improved cognitive development, which benefits them well into adulthood. They are also more likely to benefit from earlier development of motor skills and face a lower risk of behavioural problems.

Long-term benefits of breastfeeding for the baby

Many of the health benefits of breastfeeding for babies extend well into adulthood, giving them a better chance at a healthier life. Studies show that breast milk provides babies with certain probiotics that promote gut bacteria diversity, which helps with the development of immune function, protecting against not just infections, but also the development of food allergies, autoimmune diseases, asthma, and chronic inflammatory conditions. Breastfeeding is also associated with a reduced risk of chronic lifestyle diseases later in life, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity.

Breastfeeding benefits for premature and low birth weight babies

Premature and low birth weight babies are particularly vulnerable to life-threatening infections, breathing problems, hypothermia, and developmental disorders, as their immune systems are even more immature than those of full-term babies, and their organs are not fully developed. This makes breastfeeding even more critical as it provides essential nutrients that are easy to digest. This is why researchers have identified a clear reduction in the risk of complications such as sepsis and necrotising enterocolitis among babies who are breastfed during the early months.

Common myths about breastfeeding benefits

Despite the widespread and intense campaigning of the WHO, UNICEF, and regional health organisations like the Indian Academy of Paediatrics, several breastfeeding myths persist:

Myth: Breastfeeding is easy

Fact: It’s not always easy and can require guidance and support from specialists like lactation consultants and midwives, as it can be difficult to position your baby properly and get the right latch technique.

Myth: Discomfort and pain are normal

Fact: While some discomfort is to be expected at the start, breastfeeding should not be painful. If it is, you need to get help from your doctor or a lactation consultant.

Myth: You need a strict diet while breastfeeding

Fact: Your diet should be varied and not restrictive, as you need a balanced diet to nourish your baby. Only avoid foods that are known to produce a reaction.

Myth: Breastfeeding for over a year causes weaning problems

Fact: This claim is not based on any evidence, and research actually shows that breastfeeding for up to two years provides added benefits for both mothers and babies.

Myth: You should avoid breastfeeding when sick

Fact: This is usually not true, as it depends on the type of illness and access to care. In most cases, antibodies that you produce to fight off an infection will also protect your baby as they are passed on through breast milk. Just talk to your doctor if unsure.

When breastfeeding may not be possible

Although exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months, this may not be possible in many cases due to medical or environmental barriers. For example, hormonal conditions like PCOS, certain infections, structural anomalies, and previous breast surgeries could impair milk production or supply, making it harder or impossible to breastfeed.

In such cases, a paediatrician-recommended formula is a safe and healthy substitute that provides the necessary nutrition. Donor milk is also a healthy option, especially when caring for low birth weight or preterm babies, as studies have shown that donor breast milk can lower the risk of some complications that pose a high risk for such babies.

Conclusion

Although it’s natural, breastfeeding can be a learning curve. However, with adequate support and patience, most mothers find a comfortable rhythm that works to ensure that breastfeeding benefits their babies while maintaining their own health and well-being. In addition to all of the health and nutritional benefits, breastfeeding is also an intensely emotional bonding experience, which can be its own reward.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long should I exclusively breastfeed?

The WHO and IAP recommend exclusive breastfeeding for a minimum of six months, with continued breastfeeding along with added foods for up to two years or more.

2. Can I breastfeed if I’m unwell?

In many cases, continued breastfeeding with precautions is recommended, as antibodies you produce can pass through breast milk and help protect your baby. Make sure to check with your doctor for specific illnesses.

3. What if I can’t breastfeed?

Paediatrician-recommended formula is a safe substitute, and donor breast milk is a healthy option, especially for preterm or low birth weight babies.